Stock up on high-energy food such as peanuts
(or peanut butter) and chocolate/sweets/candy before you go.
Most supermarkets sell white wafer bread made from manioc (casabe).
It's light and fills your stomach in no time at all -- despite
being about as tasty as sawdust.
Waterproof the inside of your rucksack, put
everything into bags. There is a shop opposite the CANTV station
in Santa Elena which sells bags for carrying ice. These are
perfect for a trek and far more effective than normal plastic
bags. Buy some tape in a ferreteria to seal them.
Take repellent since the 'plaga'/puri puri midges
near the rivers Kukenan and Tek are VORACIOUS. Long-sleeved
shirts advisable.
Keep weight as close to your back as possible.
Keep straps tight, but do not cut your blood's circulation.
DRINK LOTS!
Don't litter ANYWHERE. Bring a small shovel
for making a hole to defecate in. Don't shit anywhere near a
river.
For equipment, your best bet is asking around
in Santa Elena. (Try La Casa de Gladys, Ruta Salvaje, Last Frontiers,
Kamadac). Most tour operators will rent you sleeping bags and
tents (you may have to leave a deposit). If going independently,
you will need a decent sleeping bag, a good tent, a gas stove,
a compass and all mentioned in first section.
See above for more...